{b]Aye! Let the new Jarl decide Varghoss' fate[/b]
Tyc is eager to get some "alone time" with Varghoss before his fate is sealed
Forni nods, "Mmm, very well. Whoever so finds themselves fit to be our jarl in this unusual time shall step forward and drop their blade at my feet." Rangfrid is the first to step forward, and Dalla casts her sword down shortly thereafter. Hákon is next after a pause, and finally Stein walks up with brazen confidence.
Forni continues once it seems no one else shows interest. "Becoming jarl requires strength of character and a wise mind as complements to the fighting spirit, so consider the two decisions before us - how do we deal with this vile enemy, and what's next for our recently awakened brethren? We shall weigh these answers alongside with who we, your family, know you to be." Each offers answers in turn.
"For myself and my men, we should join your communities. Build ourselves homes in your villages, work your fields, and when our enemies come raiding, we take up arms and fight for our lives. We have seen both storm and shadow - with you, let us stand."
"Our awakened blood will take heart and celebrate these first few weeks of spring. Then, come the mustering days, they will set forth on longships to find our lost fleet. Once they return with our brothers and sisters, or with ill news, we shall build for them new places to live - together in our own villages, or in new ones as they desire."
"It… may seem callous, but I must speak from the heart. Do we not have empty homes in our villages? These Hávardr saved our hides this day, and the fleet is lost - these two truths cannot be denied. They need not build new homes or take them by force - we have shelter to freely give."
Havark listens and weighs all the words carefully. He then stands and addresses the clan.
"I am no Jarl. I am a warrior. A chosen of Wotan. I have heard and weighed the words of all. I believe our long lost brothers should live among us, that is not a question. Dalla shows wisdom in her choosing to send Varghoss as a thrall. I support either this or the blood eagle."
After Havark speaks he takes his seat back and waits and listens to what all have to say.
Asvaldr was a great man and led his people through a difficult time. His children are growing wise and strong, like their father. But no modern Havardr is prepared to combat the threat that looms - the Firth monster in the bay, frights roaming the Thing, a living glacier a day's march away! Boreas looms Northmen! Only Rangfrid has faced these threats before. How can you not but choose the first Vetrdiss to lead you through these times?
Total: 84
Total: 76
Total: 53
Total: 39
The clan listens to the words of the would-be leaders, and others make a case for their favorites too - a couple tower guard chime in on Rangfrid's behalf, and Gunnar speaks up for his brother. It is clear that Rangfrid and Dalla hold the most favor, however, and it was not until Tyv's argument was added that Rangfrid became a clear choice.
She addresses the crowd. "Hávardr restored: find confidence in yourself and in your fellow man. The Norns have conspired in their weave most unusual, but in this dawn, we will show renewed strength against the forces of Boreas, against the Trickster, against the cowardice and folly of lesser men! Come storm or shadow, we stand!"
They unite in cheers, and Rangfrid walks over to Dalla, handing her a ceremonial dagger. "Fierce shieldmaiden, I will need your help. These lands are not the lands I knew, and these times are even more unfamiliar. I would take your guidance as you freely give it." Dalla nods, and accepts the weapon. "Do as you wish with Varghoss. If you would burn him with your father, do so. If the blood-eagle would taste sweeter, this knife cuts deep."
Looking to the other candidates in the aftermath, Stein maintains an unreadable exterior, while Hákon looks... honestly, a bit relieved. While Dalla decides, a voice whispers in Tyv & Havark's ear. "Perhaps qualified, but is it a wise choice? I have my doubts Wildheart... I have my doubts." As they turn to see, none stand close enough to do so, but twenty yards behind them, a tower guard makes eye contact with each before deliberately turning to face away from the crowd.
Havark approaches and kneels before Rangrid.
"As the Jarl before so do I pledge my blade and protection to you. A champion I shall be for you and the clan. By the blood we've shared and the blood we'll spill, I promise this - we're family, and though I may quarrel with my brothers and sisters, there are none who may quarrel with my brothers and sisters and not also quarrel with me. Your secrets are my secrets, and your dreams are my dreams. When you are sad, I will comfort you, and when you are happy I will exult with you, and woe be unto the one who threatens our bond - or betrays it."
Like a moth to a flame Tyv is drawn across the gathering to the mysterious tower guard. Hello, he says with a smile as he tugs the man's surcoat to get his attention. Did you hear something just now.
Rangfrid is taken aback by Havark brash words, but the ritualistic nature makes itself clear to her soon enough. She offers a beatific smile, "I celebrate in this, to have your support and custodianship Havark. Those words carry the weight of ceremony with them - tell me where they come from."
..
.
..
Meanwhile, the guard snorts at Tyv, "Don't play the fool, Andetag. I see you think it suits you but it in fact suits NO ONE. Walk with me."
Pacing out of easy earshot of the gathering, he speaks quickly, "I have paced the leylines, read the bones since I felt your limited success... I tell you the curse was not broken, but interrupted. Boreas's lands have grown greatly since the Vanguard kingdoms fell, and with them so has his power - the Ritual of Spring can no longer overcome him alone.
"He is now out-of-season, but I now believe that come next winter, these ancient clansmen will be frozen once again. And when that happens, Boreas will not wait for spring so you can free them once more. I agreed to help you break the curse, so... when you and Havark can slip away for a time, come by my cabin and we will contact an old friend, see what can be done."
Havark rises.
" From a temple in the far east of our land. The warrior monks there train warrior protectors for the Jarls of the land. I was one of the elite. The oath is an oath of brotherhood and service and now it is my oath to you if you will have it."
He bows in respect.
The guard begins walking away from Tyv, but remarks as she parts, "Oh, and it'd go over well to bring someone from the tower. Someone who wouldn't be missed."
..
.
..
"I will. And thank you." Looking around, Rangfrid nods to the rest. "No reason to delay, then."
Once Ásvaldr is loaded onto the boat with his weapons and armor (among other favored belonging), Rangfrid turns to the clansmen of modern day. "Send your brother with a few choice words, if you'd like."
Not a formal speaker Havark approaches, says his good bye's and offers a simple prayer to Wotan to protect and welcome his brother to his table.
Tyv looks askance at the witch as she depart, wondering whether she had woven the seeming of a tower guard, or was wearing the guards body like a coat. Either way, neat trick, he says to himself wistfully. After another short pause he trots back to Havark, and as the man walks away from Asvaldr's funeral boat, he tugs at his sleeve, looking far more grave than usual. The curse is unbroken. We must visit the witch. he whispers.
Havark nods
"I'm ready when you are my friend."
Tyv spends the rest of the morning "casing out" the tower guards. He chats with them and observes, looking for the black sheep; the runt of the litter. Perhaps a man who is known for cowardice, or one who is lazy and shirker of duty.
The children, exhausted from the lack of sleep, can't keep their wits to get much of anything out before babbling incoherently about their father and brother. They each place their hands upon the ship before Fastvi leads all in a funeral song to the Norns. Dealing with the uncaring but fair nature of fate, it ends after a moment and Varghoss is dragged onto the ship bucking like a steer, placed between Sverrir and Ásvaldr's pyres. To ensure his demise aboard, they break his arms and legs. Men gather at the stern end of the vessel, giving it a hearty shove into the fjord. After it floats out a couple hundred of feet, Gunnar takes a flaming arrow and fires it into the ship. It becomes a bright blaze moments later, and the mourners disperse.
..
.
..
In his investigations of the guardsmen, Tyv has maybe caught ear of the slacker he's looking for:
"Yeah, as if ye'd have time for that anyway. Lady Hávardr's next step must be to divvy us up between the villages, and you'll be working fields and hunting game, same as the rest of us."
The second man sighs, "Right. Lady Hávardr. I'll tell you though, trapped in that tower so long without the basic creature comforts; t'isn't right! We both know my betrothed is dust by now, so a little ploughin', a little drinkin'? Came out the other side mind intact, so I'd reckon I've earned it."
"The depths of your sorrow could move even the Reaching Mountains, Folkmar," the first says with a shake of his head.
Tyv couldn't fault a man for wanting to farm instead of fight. from what he'd seen, it looked like hard work. Safe and boring sure, but not also hard. He marked Folkmar as a possibility, but kept looking.
Another conversation Tyv wanders past:
"Talk to Authun? Says he's leaving."
"Let me guess, off to find a gold shittin' goose is he? Fool forgets to eat when you dangle a bit o' copper from a stick."
"Aye, says he's bound to swim in coin as a mercenary due to his new looks and all."
"Even better if he'd learn to fight! Good riddance I'd wager."
While it wasn't so bad as cowardice, Northerners had little time for greedy folk. And if Authun planned to leave anyway... well, hardly a better choice than he would Tyv find.
Tyv felt the sudden need to hire a guard for his trip to the witch's hut and seeks out Authun.
When he fins the man: I'm headed out to visit a friend a half day's walk from here. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, but what with the Ranulfr scattered and desperate I figured it would be a good idea to take along an extra sword or two. I heard you might be up to earning some honest coin.Tyv rubs two gold coins together with a grin. Interested?
Havark watches keeping to himself.
What games is he playing at, why care if this man wishes to leave to fill his greed. I thought he was in a hurry to see the witch.
Authun turn sslowly with an eyebrow sharply raised. "Well I've never known a coin to lie... BAHAHAHAHA!" he barks in loud laughter, but he regains his composure at the light glinting betwixt Tyv's fingers. "Pardon, pardon, just a bit of fun now. A man of my tastes, carrying genuine gold! Well, you're right; cornered animals are the most vicious, of course, and you'll need strength like mine by your side. Let's say twenty coin and we go see your friend?" He moistens as Tyv is given the moment to think.
Twenty? Of these gold ones?! For an afternoon's work? You ARE a funny man Authun. No, lets say five. Tyv pauses and looks at the sky, as if an idea had jus occurred to him. Or, I suppose I could just ask the new Lady Havardr for an honour guard - that might be my cheapest option.
yes I'm sure she would grant a few warriors to guard the. Rise breakers. Why I might even request that she assign you to the detail. Then I'd get your services for free. , Tyv adds with a michevious grin and a wink.
Authun played into the wink, looking mildly offended, "I had but to test your wit personally, Curse-Breaker! Guarding fools carries a much higher risk, costs more coin, and no stain on your honor my father raised a skeptic in me! Of course five gold will be fine, no need to involve the good lady." He reflects for a moment, likely considering how long his family's been dead, and then nods.
All good
The three set off and have a... fairly uneventful journey. Authun probes with conversational questions, asking Tyv and Havark of their pasts, who they are off to see, and such forth; he neither prods too far nor takes any of the answers to heart.
As they approach the Ásdis however, things get a bit odder. Laughter can be heard emanating from the direction of her house along with a cacophony of chirping and screaming birds - at one point on their hustle there, they hear a woman shout "Aha! Got you!" as well. Coming into sight, the witch is seen swatting at a swarm of birds (a random selection of various local species), fumbling with her rune-carving implement while her mephit familiar grapples with two ravens at her feet. Some fifty feet away is the source of the laughter - a dwarf-sized, angry bird with vibrant blue, green, and yellow plumage. Its straight-pointed beak is easily as long as its body, and its wings end with vicious claws. It's trapped within a magical barrier of latticed water, giggling and scratching at the walls.
Ásdis shouts, "The ahlinni's called the birds, but take it alive!"
Round 1
Tyv
Havark
Authun
Bird Swarm
Ásdis
Ahlinni
Havark not knowing exactly what is going on, runs over to the large trapped bird.
Tyv shoves Authun in the direction of the witch. Go help Asdis!
Tyv jogs towards the alhini and fires a blast of raw feywild energy at the large bird, hoping to knock it out...
;
"Err, right!" shouts Authun as runs down to her.
The birds scratch and peck as she lets off an expanding arc of white frost, cursing as she does, "Damn sloppy craft!" They part around it as it reaches out slowly, and only a handful of birds fall frozen stiff.
The ahlinni breathes a cone of gas at Havark when he approaches, and the tiefling feels a little light-headed and giddy; despite this, he keeps his wits about him.
..
.
..
Round 2
Tyv manages to slip the projectile between the cage's lattice and it knocks the monstrous bird off balance as it ricochets off its breast. It turns to chortle maniacally at its assailant. Another two whallops like that would probably knock the beast out.
Round 2
Tyv
Havark
Authun
Bird Swarm
Ásdis
Ahlinni
Havark attempts to subdue the creature attacking with the flat of his blade.
Non Lethal Damage
|
His soulblade catching against the cage, Havark fails to strike the creature.
Authun swings at the birds with his sword, clipping a few in the cleave of his blade. Ásdis cries out - her hand covers her eyes, and a trickle of blood seeps between her fingers. She drops her carving tool in favor of a sickle, swinging blindly to no effect. In the midst of this, the ahinni violently pecks at the side of its cage again, cracking much of barrier. What's more, it looks like it's starting to shake off the blow that Tyv dealt it.
Round 3
Tyv
Havark
Authun
Bird Swarm
Ásdis
Ahlinni
Seeing the cage weaken, Havark waits knowing the bird is trying to escape.
Trusting that Havark, slayer of Frights and champion of the Holmganga could handle a glorified wild turkey, Tyv jogged towards Asdis.
Despair not she of the wandering voice, Wildhearted Yrr is come to save you from this fiendish flock of feathered foes.
Tyv thrusts out his arms melodramatically and a tangles mass of thorny plantlife erupts into being, lashing and grasping at the many birds. Take that, you foul, uh, fowl
|
|
Rather impressively displaying the futility of man against nature, the birds rather deftly avoid the orb of bramble-energy and swings of sickle and sword, continuing to tear at the witch's flesh as they do so. "The bluster of men has saved nary a life, Ýrr: stop these twice-damned birds!" The ahlinni continues to peck furiously at its cage, growing closer to freedom but not yet achieving it.
Round 4
Tyv
Havark
Authun
Bird Swarm
Ásdis
Ahlinni
Round 4
Havark grows impatient watching the birds tear at the witch.
"Enough!" He shouts before taking matters into his own hands as he commonly does.
Swift: 1pp Inevitable Strike
Round 4
Tyv frowns as the birds flutter about the ball of animated brambles as if it were a nest. He reaches out and runners of root and thorn shoot through the ground and erupt in lashing anger, swatting at the feathery little beasts. He yells back at Asdis, Ah but mine is not the bluster of men!
Move action: direct bramble ball to attack swarm again ( DC16 ref to avoid)
Std Action: ;
|
Had the Fate's named this as Ásdis's last day? The multitude of attacks should have easily dispatched of the gathering of common birds, and yet they twist and weave and continue their assault, only Authun's blade slicing four of them. Then the laughing call of the ahlinni stops, and the birds let up on Ásdis to harrass Havark instead.
Ásdis calls out, "It'll heal quickly: bind it's wings and beak before it recovers." She begins to grasp for her implements in the snow, yet covering her bloodied eyes.
Round 5
Tyv
Havark
Authun
Bird Swarm
Ásdis
Ahlinni
Assaulted by the birds Havark starts lashing out unsure how to combat such an enemy.
Flurry Strike:
Tyv jogs back over to the alhini, pulling a coil of rope from his pack as he goes. Unattended, the sphere of roiling plantlife near Asdis withers and crumbles rapidly.
A flurry of blades rends a few score of birds in a breath, and the rest of the flock disperses. Unsure of what do with Ásdis, Authun follows behind Tyv and helps him tie the rope tight. The mephit had disappeared somewhere in the chaos, but could now be seen bringing an herbal paste to its master, and it delicately runs a dipped claws along the scratches plagueing her eyes. The wounds contract, and Ásdis stands up. "Thank you, Fiidulmamid. Now don't tarry you three, the sooner we begin the ritual, the sooner we find answers. Bring the ahlinni within my home."
"Ritual? What's she going on about? An' what's that ice devil?" Authun asks, hesitantly. The ahlinni awakens behind them... but the rope seems strong enough to hold it quietly and still.
"Don't worry, we can explain after. Just grab the bird and bring it inside."
Havark heads into the hut.
Yes, come on Authun, don't want to miss lunch. Tyv hurries the man along into the hut.
Authun forces a grin. "Sure, sure..." He lugs the bird inside and pulls it off to the side.
Ásdis gathers a spare bowl and spoon, and rather uncharacteristically offers it to Authun with a smile. "Please. My home isn't much, but sit." That much was true - while her hut wasn't so small, it was quite cluttered, leaving more piles to sit on then places to stand. "Havark, if you don't mind, tilt the wood table in the corner, and hang the ahlinni's bindings from the raised edge. Now Ýrr, where's this lunch you've offered us?"
Havark looks at the table and then the large bird.
"Authun, do what she asked with the table and the bird. Did the birds take more than your eyes. I have not the physical strength for these things you ask Ásdis."
Tyv doesn't miss a beat at the meal request. [b]Right, he pronounces, and produces two bloody handfuls of eviscerated songbirds he had scooped up from the yard on his way in. He drops them onto the table with a flourish. Antetag's Blackbird Pie, coming right up. He counts the mangled little corpses before him. One, two, three, four, five...hmm, nineteen to go. Authun, start plucking these little fellows while I get the rest would you? He grabs a basket, darts back outside and returns a moment later, basket full and humming a familiar children's tune.
Ásdis levels a steady glare Havark's way. "Hollow bones. Thick, warm coat of feathers. The bird doesn't weigh much; and neither does the table." She then sighs. "Ehhnn. Have it your way. Authun, be a sweet and set the bird up on the table as a favor to me. Havark, pluck the birds." The man nods slowly, avoiding eye contact with either. Meanwhile, the wild-witch quaffs a few magic mixtures and collects a number of relics from around her home, including a sharp blade and an opulent chalice from a lock box (of which Authun certainly takes notice). She sets these near the ahlinni before helping with the meal preparation.
...
Bellies full by meal's end, Ásdis has exhausted her repertoire of pleasant conversation, and Authun returns the borrowed tableware. He scratches his scalp in an awkward tic. "You are too hospitable, Ásdis, really. But err... well, Tyv, I accompanied you and Havark to your friend as asked. Woods don't seem so dangerous after all, so all the same to you, I'll take my payment and be on my way."
Ásdis sets the bowl and spoon down in a pile of junk behind Tyv, and delivers a secret, painful jab underneath the fey's shoulder blade on the second pass. "Oh, but I've so enjoyed getting to know you, Authun? Won't you stay?"